Device for Inflating a Bicycle/Motorcycle Tire

ABSTRACT

My invention is a portable air transferring device, involving two identical clip-on valves at each end of a hollow tube. When the clip-on valves are each engaged, air flows through the hose between a good car tire and a partially or fully deflated bicycle or motorcycle tire. The invention is for use in emergencies or in remote locations when other conventional sources of compressed or pumped air are unavailable. The invention includes a method for operating the device.

INTRODUCTION

I, Joseph M. Craft, have invented a device for inflating a flat bicycle or motorcycle tire, through a hose with clip on valves. The hose passively allows for the transfer of air from a higher pressurized car or truck tire to the lower pressurized bicycle or motorcycle tire in an emergency situation or in a remote location where other sources of forced air are unavailable. I have also invented the method for using this device.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

None.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

Not applicable.

BACKGROUND

The state of the art for inflating a flat tire bicycle or motorcycle tire involves: (1) gas station or other commercial, compressed air generated by machine; (2) compressed air in a can or other cartridge, typically carbon dioxide (CO₂); or (3) hand pump. Since in the above, the source of air is relatively abundant, leakage at the connecting valve is ordinary and acceptable. For instance, the commonly used valve connections between source and target stems on tires consists of a screw-on or a pressure applied by hand hold-on device, from which air leakage is expected.

My invention permits zero leakage in the passive flow of air between a higher pressurized car or truck tire and the flat bicycle or motorcycle tire, because the valve is a clip-on that securely fastens to both the source and the target air stems. My invention is portable, can be coiled to fit into a small pouch, so that it is readily accessible in the event of emergency loss of air or while operating the bicycle or motorcycle in a remote location where conventional sources of air supply are not available.

The time for the connection of my invention to the respective air stems is only one or two seconds. This amount of time will allow for the supply of sufficient air to permit safe operation of the bicycle or motorcycle in an emergency situation or at a remote location, until another source of pressurized or pumped air becomes available.

My invention works, even though car/truck (source tires), and bicycle/motorcycle (target tires) require roughly equivalent pressurization (pounds per square inch of pressure is usually set forth on the sidewall of the tire), because the volume of air in the source tires is much greater than the volume in the target tires. Therefore, release of a small amount of air from the source tires is sufficient to permit limited time, safe operation of the target tires.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Attached as FIG. #1 is a blow-up detail of the clip.

Attached as FIG. #2 is a cross-section view of the clip, with the clip in the raised, prior to insertion position.

Attached as FIG. #3 is a cross-section view of the clip, with the clip in the lowered position, following insertion and allowing for the flow of air.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, the following parts and purposes are identified. The uniqueness of the invention is the clip-on valve that is portrayed in the Figures. There is one identical, clip-on valve on each end of the hose. Both valves attach to the air sterns of the source and target tires.

The coupling #700 includes a connector #701 which is a hex nut that is fitted on one end into the hose #600, and on the other end, integrally formed or permanently joined with the tube cap #702 by a suitable assembly process. The cap #702 contains an axial bore through which air flows into the hose #600.

A clamping arm #704 is pivotally mounted to a portion of the cap #702, and spring loaded to rotate around pivot point #705. The clamping arm #704 is mechanically joined to a slidable clamp #730 in order to releasably engage the valve stem #725. By pressing on the flange #710, the clamping arm #704 pivots on the pivot point #705. The end of the clamping arm #704 engages and retracts the slidable clamp #730. The cap #702 engages the slidable clamp #730. The cap can be released for insertion into the tire air stem (FIG. 3) or compressed to provide a secure fitting on the air stem (FIG. 4). Both clamping arms #704 must be compressed to allow for the passage of air through the hose #600.

This unique design insures zero loss of air so that the connection with the higher pressurized car or truck tire does not unnecessarily deflate a good tire, while permitting sufficient air to flow through the hose #600 to render the bicycle or motorcycle tire serviceable. Any modifications or variations which are within the purview of this description are intended to be included here as well. 

I claim:
 1. A portable air transferring device comprising: a hollow tube having first and second ends, which tube ends are fitted with a first and second, identical clip-on valves, each containing a spring-loaded clamping arm, mechanically joined to a slidable clamp, when disengaged they can be attached to a tire air stem, and when both are engaged they permit the passage of air with zero leakage.
 2. The method for transferring air from an inflated car or truck tire (source tire) to a deflated bicycle or motorcycle tire (target tire) in an emergent situation or at a remote location, comprising: placing and clamping one clip-on valve which is fixably attached to a hollow tube, onto an air stem of the target tire, placing and clamping a second, identical clip-on valve which is fixably attached to the opposite end of the hollow tube, onto an air stem of the source tire, counting to no more than two seconds, and then serially releasing each of the said clip-on valves from their respective air stems. 